After months of studying and preparing for Part 1 of NBEO can you believe that it is finally over?!

All those long days studying at the library without even showering or putting normal clothes on, all those nights you stayed up well into the morning trying to memorize all of the details of the visual pathway, all of those fast food meals you ate because you didn’t have enough time to cook a real meal, and all those opportunities you missed to hang out with your friends and family because you had a study session have finally come to an end! Now how do you feel? Relieved? Tired? Happy? Nervous?

And what are you now going to do with a little extra free time (until the next set of exams comes around)? We’ve come up with a few ideas to help you celebrate and get your life back on track! 

Catch Up On Your Favorite TV Shows

One of the first things to get cut out of your life when spending extra time studying for a big test is the television. Now that NBEO Part 1 is done, curl up on your couch with a warm blanket and a cup of coffee and spend some quality time with your television. I suggest making sure you are all caught up with such series as Game of Thrones, Blacklist, Scandal, and House of Cards. Binge watching your favorite shows is very therapeutic and will help you wind down from the high stress associated with taking boards. 

Treat Yourself to a Nice Dinner

Students studying for boards tend to eat fast food often as it is easy and quick. Can you even remember the last time you sat down to a nice, healthy dinner, took your time, and actually enjoyed it? I would recommend grabbing some friends and going out to your favorite restaurant. Enjoy a delicious meal, relax, have fun, and don’t feel rushed! It’s amazing how good a nice meal with your close friends will make you feel! 

Catch Up on Sleep 

We all know that 99% of optometry students are sleep-deprived when it comes to the weeks prior to studying for NBEO. Now that the exam is over, your body needs to reset and recharge. Go to bed early and catch up on some much needed zzz’s. This is also a great opportunity to sleep in as late as you want without feeling guilty! You deserve it and your body will appreciate the snoozefest! 

Spend Time With Your Family

You probably sacrificed some time with those close to you while you were spending so much of your life studying for boards.Try to make up for lost time and show them how much you appreciate their support during that busy period. Family lives far away? Schedule a FaceTime or Skype call! 

-Dr. Dexter